Mapping History

From an ancient mural in Turkey to a clay map of Mesopotamia, this book discusses the way humans have been mapping their world for thousands of years. From the ancient Greeks such as Ptolemy and Aristotle to the heroes of the European Age of Exploration such as Henry the Navigator and Columbus, this book discusses the early developments in mapmaking. Lesser known mapmakers and explorers, such as al-Khwarizmi and Zheng He are also introduced. Easy-to-read text encourages readers to contemplate maps and their value. Colorful maps and diagrams accompany this history of mapmaking, with highlights such as Martin Waldseemüller's world map. Informative sidebars, bold glossary terms, and an index enhance the engaging text and graphics. This series discusses the basic branches of cartography, from surveying and mapmaking to satellite imaging and GPS and GIS technologies, as well as the history of mapmaking. Readers will also become familiar with where map data comes from, the variety of maps available today, the purposes they serve, and the people who make them. In addition, they will learn techniques for reading and creating their own maps.